Suggestions for a 180...

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I

Ian21777

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jun 16, 2012
860
4
18
England
Hi, Ill be upgrading from a 60 to a 180 with 60 sump in the next month or 2 and im looking to get a medium/large catfish, though im not sure which. Thought about a shovelnose, but its a lot of fish even for a 6 foot tank. I love the look of the ripsaw type cats with the spines and the armour, but again size is an issue. Giraffes are cool, but again too big. I have seen there is a dwarf giraffe that gets to around 8 inches but ive never in 10+ years seen one for sale in any lfs near me or any of the online resources available to me. lfs near me has syno eupterus and decorus, but unless im mistaken they are very nocturnal? So any and all suggestions will be much appreciated. Oh, tankmates are dats, florida/spotted gar, various bichir, 3 hoplo cats, filament barbs and leopard bushfish. In an ideal world someone would tell me that they live 5 minutes away from me and they have for sale some very rare, in fact unheard of, dwarf tiger shovelnose that only get to 12 inches lol. Thanks for the help :)
 
they're pretty cool looking. To be honest though, i was looking for something around 10 inches, maybe 12 at a push
 
If you like so much the pim look, check out Pimelodus genus: http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=101 - plenty of choices there that will not jeopardize your other fish. Something a bit bigger and unique can be found in Aguarunichthys genus http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=203 - but these may take down some of the fish you listed because the smaller fishes would fit in their mouth (when adult). But so would any, even dwarf TSN, if it existed. The smallest TSN is over 2'. TSN is a genus BTW with 8-9 described members.

You could browse through the whole Pimelodidae family: http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/family.php?family_id=15 and their look-alikes, the Heptapteridae family: http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/family.php?family_id=30

There is a plethora of smaller Doradiidae (thorny/ripsaw cats) to choose from: http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/family.php?family_id=12

Synos are not any more nocturnal than most cats. They would work great in your tank: http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=29 Being in a nice group (for those that shoal) and of good size emboldens them to come out often in the day light.

Good luck!
 
My synodontis is probably one of the least light sensitive catfish I have ever seen. Mine is out 24/7. Never hides. Even with my blinding metal halides and countless hiding spots in the form of live plants he doesn't care. Most interactive fish I have ever seen in my entire life. So full of personality; try fitting a gallon of water in a coffee cup. The water is representative of his overflowing personality, lots of facial expression, I can tell when he's happy and sad and he dances for me. He reminds me of his dinner time every day by either making a squeeking noise or splashing water on the lid or going right up against the glass, litterally rubbing his BIG belly up against it and performing a dance/display with his feathers and streamers as if to say 'please' and 'thank you'. He is very well mannered. He also likes to watch me do my homework and is a good peacekeeper in my tank. Not aggressive, just very defensive, will not back down from his position when threatened unless peacefully coerced, he would die defending his peace. I love my catfish.
 
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